logo
Russia Ukraine War Pow Exchange
A Ukrainian serviceman reacts after returning from captivity during POWs exchange in Sumy region, Ukraine, Friday, May 31, 2024. Ukraine returned 75 prisoners, including four civilians, in the latest exchange of POWs with Russia. It's the fourth prisoner swap this year, and 52nd since Russia invaded Ukraine. In all, 3 210 Ukrainian servicemen and civilians were returned since the outbreak of the war. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Russia and Ukraine exchange POWs for the first time in three months

Ukraine and Russia have exchanged prisoners of war, each sending back 75 POWs in the first such swap in the past three months

By Hanna Arhirova
Published - May 31, 2024, 11:21 AM ET
Last Updated - May 31, 2024, 11:21 AM EDT

SUMY REGION, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine and Russia exchanged prisoners of war on Friday, each sending back 75 POWs in the first such swap in the past three months, officials said.

The Ukrainian POWs, including four civilians, were returned on several buses that drove into the northern Sumy region. As they disembarked, they shouted joyfully and called their families to tell them they were home. Some knelt and kissed the ground, while many wrapped themselves in yellow-blue flags.

They hugged one another, breaking into tears. Many appeared emaciated and poorly dressed.

The exchange was the fourth prisoner swap this year and the 52nd since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. It included a total of 150 POWs and the United Arab Emirates helped negotiate this latest exchange, the Foreign Ministry in Kyiv said.

Our Offices
  • 10kInfo, Inc.
    13555 SE 36th St
    Bellevue, WA 98006
  • 10kInfo Data Solutions, Pvt Ltd.
    Claywork Create
    11 km, Arakere Bannerghatta Rd, Omkar Nagar, Arekere,
    Bengaluru, Karnataka 560076
4.2 12182024